String instrument



1939 c. E. JONES 2,168,736

STRING INSTRUMENT Filed Feb. 16, 1938 Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a string instrument and more particularly to a single string instrument adapted to be played by means of a how similar to a cello.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and practical instrument of this character which may be mastered by a player with a very small knowledge of music.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character which is adapted to be extremely simple to learn to play and therefore extremely useful in the teaching of music appreciation.

A still other important attribute of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character which is adapted to have a novelly constructed handle or finger board which is designed to give substantially the same range on one string as a violin gives on the combined four strings.

Other important objects of the invention including simplicity of construction, low cost of manufacture, and durability will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the instrument,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of Figure 2 taken on line 33 thereof looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the handle.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reference numeral 6 generally designates the handle, which is substantially straight and elongated having rotatably mounted in the outer end thereof a tuning key 8 which may be of any construction desired to obtain the purpose sought.

As will be observed, the other free end of the handle is provided with a recess therein, the inner side portion of which is substantially arcuate in shape and is adapted to receive the sound box It. This sound box is of general cylindrical shape, and may either be constructed of metal, wood, or any other material desired. As illustrated, the sound box is constructed of metal, having a closed bottom l2 and a top [4 provided with a pair of apertures l6 therein. Obviously, the size of the sound box may be varied if so desired. The sound box is firmly secured to the free end of the handle in the recess by means of the circular shaped binding strap [8 which encircles the upper portion of the sound box It and is secured to the free end of the handle 6 by means of a screw bolt or the like 20 passing through the laterally extending side portion 22 which abuts the side of the handle 6. Centrally of the head of the sound box l4 there is secured a bridge 25 of general L shape. This bridge may be soldered or otherwise secured to the head in any manner desired.

Opposite the end of the handle ii and in line with the bridge 26 there is secured a tail piece 32 to one end of which the single string 32 is secured, the other end of the string thereof being secured to the post 34 of the tuning key. It will be observed that the tail 3t is inserted between the outer periphery of the head It and the inner periphery of the band [8 thereby securing the same in position. Obviously, if so desired this tail piece may be soldered or otherwise secured in any manner desired. It will thus be observed that by turning the tuning key 8 the tension of the string 32 which may be any kind of wire, gut or the like, and of any gauge desired depending upon the tone desired by turning the key 8.

The upper surface of the handle 6 is provided with position markers, this particular handle having three position markers 34 therein, the instrument being tuned to play in the key of C with no sharps or flats so that it is especially adapted for the beginner. Of course, to play in sharps or flats it is only necessary to finger half-way between the frets 38 which are properly spaced and marked on the upper portion of the handle. Thus, the instrument can be played in any key desired. As illustrated, the instrument has a range from the third line below the staff to the third line above the stafi.

As hereinbefore set forth the instrument is adapted to be played by means of a bow the same 40 being drawn across the strings in the same manner that a cello is played. If so desired, of course, the string may be picked.

It will thus be seen that the construction of the instrument permits of the same to be tuned in any key and by virtue of the novel arrangement for securing the sound box to the handle different sized sound boxes may be used when so desired.

While there is shown for the purpose of 11- lustration a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope, and it is intended therefore that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are indicated in the prior art or in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An instrument of the class described comprising a handle, a tuning mechanism in one end thereof, the other end of said handle being recessed, a cylindrical shaped sound box including a head having a portion of its periphery received in said recess, a strap encircling said sound box and having its free end removably secured to said handle for removably securing the sound box thereto, the head of said sound box having a pair of spaced apertures therein and an upstanding bridge secured to said head between said apertures, a tail piece secured to the outer portion of said sound box in line with the tuning mechanism and said bridge, and a string disposed over said bridge having one end secured to the tuning mechanism and the other end thereof to said tail piece.

2. An instrument of the class described comprising a handle, a tuning mechanism in one end thereof, the other end of said handle being recessed, a cylindrical shaped sound box including a head having a portion of its periphery received in said recess, a strap encircling said sound box and having its free end removably secured to said handle for removably securing the sound box thereto, the head of said sound box having a pair of spaced apertures therein and an upstanding bridge secured tosaid head between said apertures, a tail piece secured to the outer portion of said sound box in line with the tuning mechanism and said bridge, a string disposed over said bridge having one end secured to the tuning mechanism and the other end thereof to said tail piece, and a plurality of frets spacedly marked on the upper portion of said handle in the proper spaced relationship for playing a range from the third line below the stafi to the third above.

3. An instrument of the class described comprising a handle, a tuning mechanism in one end thereof, the other end of said handle being recessed, a cylindrical shaped sound box including a head having a portion of its periphery received in said recess, a strap encircling said sound box and having its free end removably secured to said'handle for removably securing the sound box thereto, the head of said sound box having a pair of spaced apertures therein and an upstanding bridge secured to said head between said apertures, a tail piece secured to the outer portion of said sound box in line with the tuning mechanism and said bridge, a string disposed over said bridge having one end secured to the tuning mechanism and the other end thereof to said tail piece, a plurality of frets spacedly marked on the upper portion of said handle in the proper spaced relationship for playing a range from the third line below the stafi to the third above, and spaced position markers disposed in the upper portion of said handle.

' CLIFTON E. JONES. 

